Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
by Arctic Monkeys
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Feb 21, 2006
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 907 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 763 out of 907
  2. Mixed: 64 out of 907
  3. Negative: 80 out of 907

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  1. ChubbyD
    Apr 21, 2006
    9
    As an old man who remembers the Buzzcocks and Undertones fondly, this was a wonderful blast of smoky air.
  2. StephenS
    Apr 21, 2006
    8
    Well played catchy tunes. Nothing deep, but loads of fun. Would have fit nicely at one of my spring-time college keg parties. Cue this CD up for infectious good times!
  3. SimonA
    Apr 20, 2006
    10
    Brilliant. From Mardy morning to sunshine afternoon. Tops.
  4. JimmyR
    Apr 20, 2006
    9
    very good album, full of catchy tunes. Probably the highlight of the album is the vocals. if your unsure on whether getting this album or not i'd have a listen to "mardy bum" from the album. if you like that you should like the album and vice versa.
  5. sajoo
    Apr 19, 2006
    10
    How people rate this cd badly is beyond me. Most of the songs the Arctic Monkeys play are really excellent. Sure, a few stand out, but they're all passable. Being someone who takes pride in listening to good music, I'd have to say this is something very different from the other crap thats out there. It sounds like a fresh-punk sound. After a few listens, it contiues to grow on How people rate this cd badly is beyond me. Most of the songs the Arctic Monkeys play are really excellent. Sure, a few stand out, but they're all passable. Being someone who takes pride in listening to good music, I'd have to say this is something very different from the other crap thats out there. It sounds like a fresh-punk sound. After a few listens, it contiues to grow on you with a heavy rocking sound and catchy tunes, lyrics and music. This is something for a more mature and sophisticated fan of good music.… Expand
  6. JoeC
    Apr 18, 2006
    10
    This is a definitive album about moderbn day brittain told with comedy stories. It is the streets in rock and roll
  7. EzraM
    Apr 17, 2006
    8
    I guess you can see the jackasses here... In any case, it's a great drinking album, well made, with good spirit. Not great, but you remember the Royal Tenenbaums...
  8. joeb
    Apr 13, 2006
    7
    catchy and cheeky with lyrics a lot of us can relate to. let me down with their belligerent and their typically "rock behaviour when they kicked their award around at a ceremony as thogh it meant nothing. guys, u have to be rock and roll before you act it. dont show yourself up!!
  9. DLa
    Apr 13, 2006
    8
    it's pretty enjoyable beyond the ever-so-popular "i bet you look good on the dancefloor". they deserve more respect from music critics as they follow the tradition of grungy britt bands with catchy tunes. good record.
  10. O
    Apr 12, 2006
    10
    Not nearly the 5th best British Album ever (NME). But it's still bloody brilliant and much better than anything else that's come out this year.
  11. BrianM
    Apr 11, 2006
    7
    It's amazing how this band went from underheard to SNL within a few weeks, but I still don't get it. Praise from tons of publications yet their sound isn't that original. Songs are kinda catchy I will admit. But why the hype?
  12. AshL
    Apr 9, 2006
    9
    Believe the hype !
  13. AndyG
    Apr 6, 2006
    9
    Genius. F****ing love it. The little Yorkshire b*stards.
  14. snilsen
    Apr 5, 2006
    8
    This is not just a good record, it's really quite good, and if it had any real originality to it I'd score it higher. Basically, to me it sounds like an amalgam of current trends: Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and White Stripes. Roll it all together and add in some Built to Spill riffing, i.e. control and quality is solid, that';s what you've got. Lyrics are pretty This is not just a good record, it's really quite good, and if it had any real originality to it I'd score it higher. Basically, to me it sounds like an amalgam of current trends: Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and White Stripes. Roll it all together and add in some Built to Spill riffing, i.e. control and quality is solid, that';s what you've got. Lyrics are pretty decent, if not good. Most importantly, there's sarcasm or awareness in the band's delivery, with the closer being an over rip off of a Strokes tune that they riupped off from something more obscure. Talant doing what's cool and doing it well. The album is pretty much 100%. If you liked Radio 4 - Gothem, you should like this too.… Expand
  15. FredericoM
    Apr 4, 2006
    9
    Great album all around.
  16. Mr.E
    Apr 4, 2006
    8
    Firstly, let me state I don't usually write reponses to what other people have said but, Frasier Crane wound me up a little. Since the 1990's many bands have been producing excellent music. Radiohead, RHCP, Muse, The Streets, Antony & the Johnsons, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Franz Ferdinand, Eminem, Fat Boy Slim, The Prodigy, Bjork, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bloc Party, The Firstly, let me state I don't usually write reponses to what other people have said but, Frasier Crane wound me up a little. Since the 1990's many bands have been producing excellent music. Radiohead, RHCP, Muse, The Streets, Antony & the Johnsons, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Franz Ferdinand, Eminem, Fat Boy Slim, The Prodigy, Bjork, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bloc Party, The White Stripes, QOSA, Daft Punk, Modest Mouse, the Arcade Fire, Kate Bush, and Regina Spektor. So Frasier Crane if you think new modern bands sound the same stop listening to NME and turn on to BBC Radio 2. As for the Monkeys album let the people decide if its a classic, I enjoyed it and who says an album needs to be varied to be a classic, after all The Sex Pistols debut is considered a classic.… Expand
  17. KevinR
    Apr 2, 2006
    7
    A formidable album, laced with very catchy, quick moving lyrics. However, they just don't live up to the overwhelming hype they received in Britain.
  18. NakulP
    Apr 1, 2006
    7
    A very good album. Not quite worth the NME hyperbole, but still very good. Sure beats all the other crap around at the moment, for example James Blunt, The Streets, Embrace, all rap (Kanye excepted).
  19. Ann
    Mar 28, 2006
    10
    An absolutely great album. Not sure what the other voters are listening to. Can't get the tunes out of my head. Lyrics are great. Definitely a breath of fresh air.
  20. Rumpy05
    Mar 17, 2006
    8
    A very promising debut album. I for one cannot understand the backlash against this record. Yes, we all know that it had been hyped beyond all reason, but lets not forget this a a great effort. The saviour of british music?...no not really but why do we need a saviour? lets just enjoy what is one of better albums of the last ten years
  21. MartyM
    Mar 16, 2006
    9
    I have no idea why I love this CD. There is nothing new about the music nor are the lyrics in any way profound. But the thing is just compulsively listenable (not to mention dance-in-your- underwearable). Every track just reeks of good times.
  22. tylerl
    Mar 15, 2006
    9
    Say what you want about the English hype, just make shure to buy, listen to, and crank these lads to Eleven!!
  23. DanP
    Mar 13, 2006
    8
    So, they're not the greatest band ever. But they're definately not in even the bottom 75%. The album's opening is a weak "View From the Afternoon" which has one almost worthwhile line of "Anticipation has a habit to set you up/for dissapointment" (basically suming up everyone who gave this album a rating of 2 or less). It follows with the now famous "I Bet You Look So, they're not the greatest band ever. But they're definately not in even the bottom 75%. The album's opening is a weak "View From the Afternoon" which has one almost worthwhile line of "Anticipation has a habit to set you up/for dissapointment" (basically suming up everyone who gave this album a rating of 2 or less). It follows with the now famous "I Bet You Look Good...", which is, while still very good, not quite worthy of all the hype it has been getting. The album carries itself very well for the next 7 songs (highlights include "You Probably Couldn't See the Lights...", "Red Light Indicates...", and "Mardy Bum") before falling flat on its face with "Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But...". Hands down, this is the worst song on the album. It also steals the thunder from the great "When the Sun Goes Down". "From the Ritz to the Rubble" is decent, but the closing, "A Certain Romance" is another great song. You can see that the Arctic Monkeys are onto something, but the style has been done better. Also, I wouldn't hesitate to give this a 9 if only "Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But..." wasn't horrendous. Top 3 (no particular order): "When the Sun Goes Down" "Mardy Bum" "A Certain Romance"… Expand
  24. TedJ
    Mar 13, 2006
    7
    7. that's it, that's all, so stop hating them or sucking their dicks because they aren't deserving of either.
  25. josephs
    Mar 13, 2006
    10
    this is a superb and refreshing album well done lads keep it up
  26. Darren
    Mar 10, 2006
    7
    It's most certainly a good album, but it's inconsistent from song to song, and outside of 'When the Sun Goes Down', no track really blows me away. It doesn't live up to the hype it has received, but it's a decent album nevertheless.
  27. JasonR
    Mar 10, 2006
    8
    Best record of it's type since "Up the Bracket". In response to the "don't let NME tell you what to think" rhetoric... Sure it's a whopping bucket of hype, but if this record deserves a 1, I'd like to know what you'd rate higher. Are you seriously saying that 90% of the music being released is be better than this. How about you think for yourself... Ignore the Best record of it's type since "Up the Bracket". In response to the "don't let NME tell you what to think" rhetoric... Sure it's a whopping bucket of hype, but if this record deserves a 1, I'd like to know what you'd rate higher. Are you seriously saying that 90% of the music being released is be better than this. How about you think for yourself... Ignore the hype and stop hangin with the holier than thou "backlash" kids. Don't believe the hype, but definately don't believe the backlash.… Expand
  28. MaxF
    Mar 9, 2006
    8
    You know what's worse than hype? The pretentious anti-mainsteam hordes who denounce any product getting massive critical acclaim. For if they were to admit that the hype was real, then that would affect their individualism. I am around music (popular and underground) nearly every waking moment of my life and consider myself very well versed in every genre. I usually don't post You know what's worse than hype? The pretentious anti-mainsteam hordes who denounce any product getting massive critical acclaim. For if they were to admit that the hype was real, then that would affect their individualism. I am around music (popular and underground) nearly every waking moment of my life and consider myself very well versed in every genre. I usually don't post ratings or discuss art on a message board because art/music means different things to different appreciators. However, any poster giving this album a zero or a 10 needs to check themselves. Save your scores below 5 for those that deserve it (Hillary Duff, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys) and save your 10's and 9's for thos albums that change the landscape of popular music (Nevermind, London Calling, The Joshua Tree) This album might not be perfect, but it's a nice departure from the Shinedown's, Godsmacks, Seether's, Pop-Punk's and disposable teen acts of today's musical landscape. I haven't taken it out of my CD player for a week. It is truly an exceptional album. Anyone comparing it to Oasis should get their heads out of their a**es, it sounds nothing like it (unless anything british is Oasis). In fact, judge it on it's own merit. I don't recognize any rip off, just awesome riffs and great punkish sensibility. For God's sake...they're not JET. Don't get overrun by the hype either way, but definately buy this album. So far the best of 2006.… Expand
  29. DanB
    Mar 8, 2006
    9
    Excellent debut album here. Extremely creative lyrics and melodies. Very catchy. Overall it's fun to listen to. Don't listen to the idiots who are saying it's no good. Those people are just saying that stuff because they think that they won't be "cool" if they listen to something that other people are listening to. The reason there is so much hype around these guys is Excellent debut album here. Extremely creative lyrics and melodies. Very catchy. Overall it's fun to listen to. Don't listen to the idiots who are saying it's no good. Those people are just saying that stuff because they think that they won't be "cool" if they listen to something that other people are listening to. The reason there is so much hype around these guys is because they have made a genuinely great album.… Expand
  30. JMcCartha
    Mar 6, 2006
    7
    May be the best at what they do, the personal factor is whether or not you care about what they do.
  31. JohnH
    Mar 5, 2006
    10
    Uhhh... Clash..... Class.... rock... Beatles... what more can be said... great.
  32. RyanL
    Mar 5, 2006
    7
    Solid album. If you're a fan of somewhat frantic rock, pick it up. You'll probably find it's not as good as the hype, but not nearly as bad as the people backlashing are making it out to be.
  33. EskimonoBooYah
    Mar 4, 2006
    10
    This album is the best thing since sliced bread, which I invented. I was listening to this album the other day and this guy came up to me and asked me what I was listening to. I told him the arctic monkeys and then (because the album is so good) he tried to steal it from me but the album knew it's true owner and vaporized the man right in front of me with it's built in lazer This album is the best thing since sliced bread, which I invented. I was listening to this album the other day and this guy came up to me and asked me what I was listening to. I told him the arctic monkeys and then (because the album is so good) he tried to steal it from me but the album knew it's true owner and vaporized the man right in front of me with it's built in lazer system. It was CrAzY!!! Then the album said "I love you, Eskimono" and we hugged. If you want this or a similar experience, buy this album.… Expand
  34. joseluizs
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    Welcome to the Future....The Future is now !
  35. Jabu
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    My album of the year so far, a must buy! I know there is alot of hype and i too was sceptical but simply its brilliant.
  36. William
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    Honestly- when you buy this album, listen to it straight through once and then walk away for a bit... its right wicked, the songs will stick in your head until you cant help but listen again, and again, and again. Best debut I've heard in years.
  37. AlexC
    Mar 2, 2006
    9
    How anyone can give this less than a 7 is beyond me, and to the person that said 1)it was suited to imprssionable teenagers or 2)dads tring to be hip, you are probably the latter of the 2 buddy but prefer the osmonds or the carpenters. Quite simply outstanding for 19/20 year olds...... one for the yanks as much as the brits, turn it up loud!!!
  38. barryq
    Mar 1, 2006
    9
    Buy it. Listen to it a few times. You will love it. It can be a bit spotty but the good bits are fantastic.
  39. RachelM.
    Mar 1, 2006
    7
    It's not a question of either "they sound great!" or "don't believe the hype!". It's both. I personally think that most songs in this album seem simply perfect. But that is because they sound just like a band said to be "the next big thing" would, at least nowadays. Riffs, carefully designed spontaneity & a more than usual dose of Liam's (but modernised) coming exactly It's not a question of either "they sound great!" or "don't believe the hype!". It's both. I personally think that most songs in this album seem simply perfect. But that is because they sound just like a band said to be "the next big thing" would, at least nowadays. Riffs, carefully designed spontaneity & a more than usual dose of Liam's (but modernised) coming exactly when one would expect. Something you think it's new, but just before realising The Strokes are already invented. But that's "what the point is not. The point is" that NME necessity of finding a "classic band" (usually several candidates) each year has become laughable (by the way, who continues to think seriously about NME after saying X&Y is Coldplay's classic and Heathen Chemistry Oasis return to form?). What do they think they're doing? They're leading lots of young bands to believe they can be classic if they just fit into the likes of that year... So what is it? Do I like this album? Or not? I'm sure I'd loved it, simply loved it, if we weren't told to love it all the time. Because I've also been a fan of every "next big British thing" & it's the same old story. At the same time, this album is hot (terribly), stylish, fresh, and the lyrics are brilliant sometimes. Best thing this year? Who can doubt it? But it's all industry as well. And the idea of a "classic band"...pf. It's not that they cannot be, only time will tell. But classic bands are those who were, are and always be. And this band "is", and just until NME finds a more profitable icon. … Expand
  40. paulm
    Mar 1, 2006
    10
    i heard about this album from my dad who read about them in rolling stone...he had never heard a lyric of their music and so i decided to check them out nonetheless...the first run through of the album i thought they were good...second run through i thought they were great and by the third time through, i thought they were the best band around today....every song is great besides maybe i heard about this album from my dad who read about them in rolling stone...he had never heard a lyric of their music and so i decided to check them out nonetheless...the first run through of the album i thought they were good...second run through i thought they were great and by the third time through, i thought they were the best band around today....every song is great besides maybe dancing shoes but seriously...these guys are great and i recommend for all you new fans like me, to download the song on one of their ep's called Settle for A Draw..one of the best songs they have and thats saying something… Expand
  41. ProfionQuest
    Feb 28, 2006
    8
    I just keep playing this cd in my cd-player... I guess it must be good, yes?
  42. TheRealAlfonsoDeBong
    Feb 28, 2006
    8
    Yeah I didnt want to believe the hype either, but this one will get under your skin. Good raucous rock and roll with catchy lyrics - hardly thought provoking but hey you can't always get watcha waaant... I give them two albums...then BOOM! But in the meantime they are out there - go see them.
  43. JoshuaMc
    Feb 27, 2006
    9
    It's funny when a really good album gets hated on for getting too much hype. The same thing happened to Clap Your Hands, and its really a shame because that was a great album. So is this, most listeners will have a hard time not enjoying the inventive lyrics and catchy tunes. Definetly worth a listen, if nothing else.
  44. MattM
    Feb 27, 2006
    10
    This is one of the greatist albums of my time. Alex turner although only 19 has an amazing way of mixing goofy lyrics like"bop like a robot from 1984" and amazing lyrics like "There is no love, no Montagues or Capulets". This band also makes many interesting beats a feat that not many bands today can do. This band had to live up to an enormous ammount of hype and many people dont think This is one of the greatist albums of my time. Alex turner although only 19 has an amazing way of mixing goofy lyrics like"bop like a robot from 1984" and amazing lyrics like "There is no love, no Montagues or Capulets". This band also makes many interesting beats a feat that not many bands today can do. This band had to live up to an enormous ammount of hype and many people dont think they did. Its hard to live up to something like that and in every way they did.… Expand
  45. tommyph
    Feb 27, 2006
    10
    Brilliant lyrics.
  46. ---GS---
    Feb 27, 2006
    10
    The best record of 2006 so far. Really great music!
  47. JoeH
    Feb 27, 2006
    9
    Upon first hearing the album i did not realise how great it actually is, this album definitely grows on you and then infects you with its catchy riffs and very clever and humerous lyrics. For an album full of high points the pinnacle for me is When the Sun goes down. The only song which lets the album down is Riot Van, But this fails to change my opinion that The Arctic Monkeys are the Upon first hearing the album i did not realise how great it actually is, this album definitely grows on you and then infects you with its catchy riffs and very clever and humerous lyrics. For an album full of high points the pinnacle for me is When the Sun goes down. The only song which lets the album down is Riot Van, But this fails to change my opinion that The Arctic Monkeys are the best new band around!… Expand
  48. WerdBomb
    Feb 26, 2006
    7
    Solid and entertaining. But shades of a hollow core, it's too early to get too excited. Actually nothing really new, just a damn fine crystallization of the proclivities of past 5 years or so.
  49. GeorgeC
    Feb 25, 2006
    7
    There's a couple of great under 3:00 songs.....and it's fresh.....but it's not London Calling or even close to the brilliance of Let is Bleed....
  50. GarethM
    Feb 25, 2006
    9
    This is proof that Americans just don't "get" british culture, the fact is we have the greatest music scene in the world and Arctic Monkeys top it off. Forget the hype, listen to the music. What Alex Turner and his band have managed to do is make songs that tell you more about true british culture than anything else. Creative people who come from the North will always get a backlash This is proof that Americans just don't "get" british culture, the fact is we have the greatest music scene in the world and Arctic Monkeys top it off. Forget the hype, listen to the music. What Alex Turner and his band have managed to do is make songs that tell you more about true british culture than anything else. Creative people who come from the North will always get a backlash of biterness for being intelligent but that just goes with our territory. The reason the monkeys are so popular is that they are anything but pretentious, with simple catchy tunes but punctuated with clever lyrics that capture the current culture, oh, and the vocals are fantastic. Listen to "From The Ritz to the Rubble" or "A Certain Romance", The Arctic Monkeys ARE England, take it or leave it.… Expand
  51. robd
    Feb 24, 2006
    10
    i dont see how you cant like this album, honestly. It is probably the best cd i own. No not of recent time its up there with dark side of the moon.
  52. adamw
    Feb 24, 2006
    9
    Brilliant, energetic and engaging album. Love the opener and a certain romance. Hard to find a poor track.
  53. DavidH
    Feb 24, 2006
    10
    one of best albums i have, and i have a 60GB ipod :-).
  54. joec
    Feb 24, 2006
    10
    best lyrics since morrisey and great hooky riffs. simple classic!
  55. RaulG
    Feb 23, 2006
    7
    I dig the album....The hype these guys are getting is a lil bit much...decent album from a cool band....hardly the second coming of Christ however....
  56. andrewt
    Feb 23, 2006
    8
    Always a good sign of a good new album - strongly divergent views - a very strong album - imperfect buit then again, Never Mind the Bollocks was not a perfect album - I think it has balls - This is a modern punk band and it ain't meant to be pretty....
  57. shawnsavage
    Feb 23, 2006
    10
    Great album...
  58. Chris
    Feb 23, 2006
    9
    Fuckin' great rock'n'roll record!!
  59. LewisG
    Feb 23, 2006
    10
    Excellent album which speaks the spot on truth about teenage chavs in england. A masterpiece
  60. houseborders
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    i Love it!
  61. johnroberts
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    i have listened to it 7 times through and i bought it yesterday. IT ROCKS!
  62. Zimbo74
    Feb 22, 2006
    7
    Its a pretty good album not the saviour of music some people are making it out to be but good nonetheless.
  63. NickJ
    Feb 22, 2006
    9
    The other users on this site don't know anything about rock... this is a great, energetic debut that gets better the more you listen to it. Fans of the Smiths and The Clash will love it. Although these guys don't need any more support, show the U.K. that all American aren't void of taste.
  64. Joris
    Feb 22, 2006
    8
    FROM THE RITZ TO THE RUBBLE is for me the obvious Killertrack, simply amazing... but overall a good album and a very good debut, though very overhyped too... cmon better than Definitely Maybe??? I guess not! Apart from latter mentioned song, other favourites are I Bet you Look Good on the Dancefloor, Fake Tales of San Fransisco; Perhaps Vampires..., the solo in Dancing Shoes and the FROM THE RITZ TO THE RUBBLE is for me the obvious Killertrack, simply amazing... but overall a good album and a very good debut, though very overhyped too... cmon better than Definitely Maybe??? I guess not! Apart from latter mentioned song, other favourites are I Bet you Look Good on the Dancefloor, Fake Tales of San Fransisco; Perhaps Vampires..., the solo in Dancing Shoes and the haunting Riot Van... a well deserved 8, nothing less but nothing more… Expand
  65. JJHoldijk
    Feb 22, 2006
    9
    This album is the definition of rock music in 2006. Not life changing, but it'll definitely push a lot of people's button. The youthfull excitement which this album is loaded with will even cause a 40-year old man living in his parents' basement to tap his feet and shake his head. Lyrics are jsut amazing, especially the way Turner spits them out at some points. Tall black This album is the definition of rock music in 2006. Not life changing, but it'll definitely push a lot of people's button. The youthfull excitement which this album is loaded with will even cause a 40-year old man living in his parents' basement to tap his feet and shake his head. Lyrics are jsut amazing, especially the way Turner spits them out at some points. Tall black men with a certain amount of bullets in their body could learn from this. To the people who think this sounds like everything else or just don't get it: just don't bother, if you dont get it now, you'll probably never get it.… Expand
  66. DSchultz
    Feb 21, 2006
    9
    Far superior and more enjoyable than Franz Ferdinand...this is an album that deserves to be the best selling UK album. They have an amazing amount of talent and energy...and for being so young, one can only hope that this debut isn't the peak of their creative talent.
  67. pAULG
    Feb 21, 2006
    9
    This is proper reet gudd. Imagine a Yorkshire version of Mike Skinner playing guitar like Franz Ferdinand. Not life changing, but bloody good!
  68. PeterM
    Feb 21, 2006
    9
    they roxxor almost as much as CYHSY
  69. willO
    Feb 21, 2006
    10
    Just proves that British rock keeps producing amazing albums. Alex Turner the leadman is fronting one of the greatest bands in the future. This album is totally amazing, and is a must have for sure!
  70. MattE
    Feb 21, 2006
    8
    Good album well worth a listen just for the lyrics which in some places are inspired. Not particularly groundbreaking music but good nonetheless
  71. joeP
    Feb 20, 2006
    8
    decent, not spectacular
  72. MaliniR.
    Feb 20, 2006
    9
    After a couple of listens I was hooked. But the only thing that I feel deserves recognition on this album is the lead singer. It's his energy that brings everything together.
  73. YokS
    Feb 18, 2006
    7
    Insanely energetic and catchy, but hardly life-changing. They've got some great tracks but they miss the target with their fillers more often than not which makes the album ring a bit hollow.
  74. AdamF
    Feb 17, 2006
    9
    This is the album I always wanted to hear from many of the UK bands. Futureheads' energy, Bloc Party's riffs and Oasis' lyrics mixed into one.
  75. MichaelW
    Feb 17, 2006
    10
    Have not heard a fresher sound in rock since The Strokes. Great Humor and melodies. Will be listening to this 5 years from now
  76. gregh
    Feb 16, 2006
    9
    simply amazing. an impeccable debut album. lets just hope they don't pull an Oasis and fall short on us in the long run...
  77. DavidS
    Feb 16, 2006
    7
    I'm just going to come out and say it, this release was a bit of a disappointment. I'd read the hype and was expecting something phenomenal. I was expecting caviar and instead I got salmon roe. You get the idea. When I listened to Oasis for the first time, or even Travis(Good Feeling) I was blown away. Those songs grabbed me by the jugular and didn't let go. Arctic I'm just going to come out and say it, this release was a bit of a disappointment. I'd read the hype and was expecting something phenomenal. I was expecting caviar and instead I got salmon roe. You get the idea. When I listened to Oasis for the first time, or even Travis(Good Feeling) I was blown away. Those songs grabbed me by the jugular and didn't let go. Arctic Monkey's on the other hand are a decent band. NOT A GREAT ONE! The songwriting lacks maturity, along with the lyrical content as well. Also, the vocalist is lacklustre at best. I heard these guys listen to a lot of hip-hop and it's evident in the vocalists delivery. Too much, too fast. His tone is boring, and he has absolutely no range. The first time I heard Liam Gallagher sing Live Forever it gave me goosebumps. This dude just doesn't do it for me. Most of the songs are good but there's no standout. Some are hummable but most are forgettable. I gave this a 7 because they have some potential, but realistically I think this band will be gone and forgotten in a year or two. Just a blip on the radar screen people. As for the next great rock band, I'm still waiting. P.S. NME needs to lay off the funky herb!… Expand
  78. DavidGeorgeBarnyard
    Feb 16, 2006
    9
    I have only heard two songs and I am very impressed. I hear the Clash and Hot Hot Heat, some minimalized Strokes (which is good in this case), yet it's an original signature. I'd like to know from those that give this band low scores who they find exceptional. I'd like to know if we can trust such plummeted ratings. C'mon, boys and girls. Put it all out there. I have only heard two songs and I am very impressed. I hear the Clash and Hot Hot Heat, some minimalized Strokes (which is good in this case), yet it's an original signature. I'd like to know from those that give this band low scores who they find exceptional. I'd like to know if we can trust such plummeted ratings. C'mon, boys and girls. Put it all out there. Let's get philosophomoric.… Expand
  79. ArkiM
    Feb 15, 2006
    8
    Although their debut is very good it does not push up to the levels that The Strokes entered when they introduced the genre.
  80. RaülJ
    Feb 14, 2006
    10
    Music should always be this fun. Hard to find a record with more catching tunes
  81. NeilP
    Feb 13, 2006
    10
    This is already sounding like one of the top albums of 2006, they have the genius of Franz Ferdinand and The Futureheads. Im feelin' a new british invasion.
  82. Bens
    Feb 12, 2006
    7
    Yeah their good but christ not THAT good. ' Bet you look good on the dancefloor' is magnicent as are 'sun goes down', ' a certain romance', 'mardy bum' and ' fake tails of san fransisco', they all sound like hits but some of the rest is dour, 'dancing shoes' slips by, 'viabsb...' grates ( as does the full title), and Yeah their good but christ not THAT good. ' Bet you look good on the dancefloor' is magnicent as are 'sun goes down', ' a certain romance', 'mardy bum' and ' fake tails of san fransisco', they all sound like hits but some of the rest is dour, 'dancing shoes' slips by, 'viabsb...' grates ( as does the full title), and riot van is very very average… Expand
  83. David
    Feb 12, 2006
    9
    Very good debut album...At last a young band bridges the gap between good old Rock and Roll and Hip Hop.A change had to come and there it is!!!
  84. douglasm
    Feb 9, 2006
    7
    sublimely witty lyrics, catchy melodies. not exactly the instant classic the british media is claiming it to be, but it could be a lot worse. it is what it is: a promising debut from a promising band. the demos sounded better, but the songs are still top-notch.
  85. ChrisB
    Feb 9, 2006
    8
    Not as good as the Brits are saying it is but not as bad as the Americans are saying it is.
  86. Shantie
    Feb 8, 2006
    7
    very enjoyable album would probably have rated it 7 1/2 if that had been possible above par songwriting, some nice (early) Sonic Youth kinda music some great tracks not worth the great hype (but, let´s face it, no album is) but very enjoyable
  87. jordand
    Feb 7, 2006
    9
    Great sound. Fun and upbeat. Great album.
  88. david
    Feb 6, 2006
    9
    excellent guitar, catchy lyrics that relate to their audience and highly upbeat. great 1st album, but new oasis? if theyre stil around hitting number1 spot in 10years then i would agree, until then just credit them for a well rounded album.
  89. TravisS
    Feb 6, 2006
    8
    What kind of music do you like Rob R? I'm willing to bet that it's supremely gay. Bloc party and Arctic Monkeys are both really good bands. Anyway, this album solid throughout and doesn't disappoint. Worth the money.
  90. carl
    Feb 6, 2006
    10
    fucking great !!!!
  91. Mart
    Feb 6, 2006
    10
    Who reads Stylus Magazine?
  92. MartinJ
    Feb 6, 2006
    7
    Not bad. But why some people can't stop acting rashly?
  93. Alex
    Feb 6, 2006
    8
    There's no way this CD could live up to the hype being generated. But that doesn't mean it's not a good record. (It's at least /very/ good.) And the more I listen to it, the more I like it. The sound is just different enough from Franz Ferdinand and their ilk to make it refreshing. And you've got to love those accents.
  94. mikep
    Feb 5, 2006
    9
    Original lyrics and excellent delivery help to make what would sound like quite a normal album into a great one. Not quite as great as the 'hype', but then what is. That said, does have some cracking tunes that will be filling indie dancefloors for years. Filling stadiums will be trickier, but that's their charm. Whether they will be able to cross over the countries that Original lyrics and excellent delivery help to make what would sound like quite a normal album into a great one. Not quite as great as the 'hype', but then what is. That said, does have some cracking tunes that will be filling indie dancefloors for years. Filling stadiums will be trickier, but that's their charm. Whether they will be able to cross over the countries that dont undertand the phrase 'mardy bum' remains to be seen!… Expand
  95. damian
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    SIMPLY GREAT!
  96. cristianp
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    excelente disco con canciones increibles y altamente adictivas de principio a fin!
  97. MaxM
    Feb 3, 2006
    8
    Tom B.. (see above)... wrote that this was pumped up by a relentless British music press... (he's wrong) ...the real story here is that some talented, cocky, guys wrote songs that make you think of the Jam... and the Streets... and put the tracks online (free) where they got passed around (I got them early last year) like old fashioned mix tapes until the buzz burst out with 360,000 Tom B.. (see above)... wrote that this was pumped up by a relentless British music press... (he's wrong) ...the real story here is that some talented, cocky, guys wrote songs that make you think of the Jam... and the Streets... and put the tracks online (free) where they got passed around (I got them early last year) like old fashioned mix tapes until the buzz burst out with 360,000 people buying a copy in a week... was at their gig last night and the great thing is that they can still improve (!) but boy the atmosphere was electric... amazing... why do people who can't perform, sing, write consider it necessary to so flippantly damin those, at 19 (!) who can? It's like the Razorfish song "Golden Touch", that they mind because they can never do the things that you can I do so well.… Expand
  98. TimmyH
    Feb 2, 2006
    10
    The best debut for a long, long time. Fun, exciting and made to be played loud. The hype machine is in full force, but this time theres something of substance behind it.
  99. reeset
    Feb 1, 2006
    8
    brilliant!
  100. GavinC
    Feb 1, 2006
    8
    I like it, and am pretty impressed at how much they seem to have polarised people, there are just as many scathing reviews as their are glowing ones on here.
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Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Album of 2006
2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2006
12
#12 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. BBC collective
    90
    It’s exciting stuff, simple yet deadly effective.
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  2. Dot Music
    90
    Such is the depth and quality of Turner's songwriting, it plays like a best of.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    90
    It's not a totally perfect record, for which we should be thankful - remember what happened to The Stone Roses after they'd released their flawless debut? - but it is an excellent first album, and gives notice that Alex Turner is already one of this country's best lyricists.
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